Unfinished Business

March 2025 - Unfinished Business

Quarterly Check-In: Adjust, Adapt, and Keep Moving Forward

The energy of a fresh start in January can make big goals feel inevitable. But by March, reality sets in. Routines slip, distractions creep in, and before you know it, those ambitious plans start collecting dust. If you’re feeling behind on your financial, personal, or professional goals - don’t panic. You haven’t failed. You just need a reset.

Success isn’t about sticking to a perfect plan - it’s about knowing when to adjust course.

- Falling behind? Reassess what’s working and what isn’t. Small shifts can reignite progress.  

- Feeling unmotivated? Reconnect with your “why.” The strongest goals are fueled by purpose, not pressure.  

- Facing new obstacles? Adapt. Just like investment returns, progress isn’t linear - but persistence keeps you moving forward.

At LeConte, we believe real financial success comes from staying engaged and making adjustments when needed. That’s why our Purpose-Built Planning process helps clients create flexible, strategic plans that evolve with them - because the best financial strategies aren’t rigid, they’re resilient.  

There’s still plenty of time to make 2025 the year of follow-through. Let’s make sure your goals don’t get left unfinished.

Learn more about Purpose-Built Planning and how we can help you stay on track.

Decoding Social Security: Part 2

Is It Time to Claim Social Security? Read This First.

Timing your Social Security benefits can make a big difference in your retirement income. Claiming early may reduce your monthly check for life, while waiting can increase your payout significantly. But what about taxes? Working while collecting? The impact on your spouse?

In this post, we break down key factors like benefit calculations, earnings limits, and tax implications - so you can make a more informed decision. Don’t leave money on the table.

Read the full post to see how smart planning can help you maximize your benefits and retirement security!

Alex Willard
Purpose-Built Planning Director
LeConte Wealth Management

Recently Published On Financial Friction

 > Spring Financial Cleaning

Kevin Painter
Managing Partner
LeConte Wealth Management

Economy In Focus

The Data: 

• 2 - Day in April dubbed 'Liberation Day'
• 7 - Magnificent Seven drawdown
  
• 93 - Percentage of job growth from private sector
  

Commentary:

Uncertainty is the name of the game as markets digest the latest economic and policy shifts. April 2, dubbed "Liberation Day" by President Trump, is set to introduce new tariffs on key imports, though the final scope remains unclear. Initial plans targeted goods from Canada, Mexico, and China, with added pressure on auto imports and agricultural products. While the administration has signaled some flexibility, investors are bracing for the potential impact on trade and inflation.  

At the same time, the once-dominant "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks are struggling in 2025. With macroeconomic concerns and shifting market sentiment, six of the seven are posting significant year-to-date losses, led by Tesla’s 40% decline. Even AI leaders like Nvidia and Alphabet have been caught in the downturn, shedding hundreds of billions in market value. The sector’s meteoric rise over the past few years may be facing a reality check as investors weigh valuations against economic uncertainty.  

Meanwhile, job creation trends have taken a sharp turn. From 2021 to 2024, public-sector jobs accounted for 69% of U.S. employment growth, with the private sector making up the remaining 31%. In February 2025, that ratio flipped - 93% of job growth came from private businesses, while the government added just 7%. This shift is crucial: private-sector jobs generate both taxable income and economic growth, while public-sector employment is funded by tax revenue. If this trend continues, it could help bolster government revenue, ease deficit concerns, and sustain consumer spending - key factors for long-term economic stability.  

With tariffs, tech turbulence, and employment shifts all in play, the months ahead will test the resilience of markets and businesses alike.

Like we mentioned in the "Quarterly Check-In" section above, we believe real financial success comes from staying engaged and making adjustments when needed. So, adjust, adapt, and keep moving forward!

LeConte In The News

LeConte Wealth Has A New Home!!

LeConte's growth in the last 2 years is a testament to the excellent people on our team and we need to make room for more team members to meet our current and future client needs. After 11 years in our office on William Blount Drive, we have relocated to new office space in downtown Maryville.

As of December 20th, our office has been located on the 4th floor at 333 East Broadway Avenue in downtown Maryville.

Contact us

865-379-8200

[email protected]